The Government of Namibia has reiterated its commitments to the development of the tourism sector and made it a key economic driver as the sector rebounds.
The country through the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation led by the Executive Director Ambassador Penda A. Naanda, echoed this sentiment when they paid a working visit to the headquarters of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Madrid, Spain.
In a meeting with the Regional Director for Africa at the UNWTO Elcia Grandcourt, Ambassador Naanda conveyed the good wishes of President Geingob on the re-election of Zurab Pololikashvili as the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism Organization. He enumerated measures taken to ease restrictions as tourism returns and welcomed the Presentation of the UNWTO Tourism Investments Attraction & Promotion Program for Namibia by Miguel Angel Figueroa.
The Regional Director Ms. Grandcourt, congratulated Namibia on its active role in the affairs of UNWTO and recognized the support and engagements of the Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNWTO H.E. Albertus Aochamub for the push on the activities and events.
She recalled the successful hosting of the Brand Africa Summit in Windhoek last year and the lead the country has taken on the conversation on Brand Africa, which is part of the UNWTO the Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth.
UNWTO Senior Expert on Education and Training Mrs. Lucy Garner also presented to the delegation the UNWTO Students’ League Initiative. whilst Mr. Marcel Leijzer, Department Manager, Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department, elaborated on the technical support that UNWTO delivers to its members keen to develop a tourism satellite account for the country
The Namibian Delegation also comprised Ms. Margareth Gustavo, Manager-Strategy and Branding from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Ms. Zaskia Mcnab, and Mr. Erastus Hailwa, both Foreign Relations Officers.
Other discussions also focused on investment opportunities, capacity building, youth, entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and statistical data.
Members of the UNWTO team which received the Namibian delegation included Jaime Mayaki, Deputy Director of the Africa Department. Mr. Miguel Angel Figueroa, Senior Project Specialist, Innovation, Education and Investments Department, Mr. Aldo Busin, Senior Project Specialist, Regional Department for Africa.
